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1st I heard of this:
Corps pays $100K for retooled jeep By Steven Komarow, USA TODAY
Thu Dec 29, 7:04 AM ET
The Marine Corps is paying $100,000 apiece for a revamped Vietnam-era jeep as part of its program to outfit the hybrid airplane-helicopter V-22 Osprey, Pentagon records show.
That's seven times what a deluxe commercial version of the vehicle costs. It's also three times what U.S. Export-Import Bank records show the Dominican Republic paid four years ago for a military version of the vehicle, called the Growler, a recycled version of the M151 jeep.
The Marines and the contractor, General Dynamics, say the vehicle has been thoroughly revised with modern automotive parts and adapted to fit on the V-22.
"Yes, it did start off with jeep technology, and it does look like a jeep in a lot of ways," says John Garner, the Marines project manager. But he says it's now "state of the art."
Danielle Brian, executive director of the Project on Government Oversight, a non-profit group that monitors Pentagon contracts, says taxpayers are getting a deal that "stinks" on an unarmored vehicle that makes no sense for today's missions, where troops face ambushes and roadside bombs.
"In a time of war, we should not be wasting money on a junker which will not protect our troops," Brian says. Under current military safety rules, the Growler would be barred from service in Iraq except as a utility vehicle that doesn't leave the security of a base.
The Marines have budgeted to buy more than 400 Growlers, along with a French mortar and ammunition that it would tow, under a contract that could total $296 million.
The Growler beat two other vehicles for the contract, Garner says.
Built by Ocala, Fla.-based American Growler, the original Growler is made partly from salvaged M151 jeep parts and is available in several versions for as little as $7,500 in kit form. At the high end, there's a $14,500 upgraded "tactical dune buggy" with a "bikini top."
The Marines' version has considerable upgrades from the commercial and Dominican Republic models, the Corps and contractor say, including a turbo-diesel engine, disc brakes and other systems adapted from modern vehicles.
"It's not your grandfather's jeep," says Kendell Pease, a General Dynamics spokesman.
The Osprey is a twin-engine airplane that turns its rotors up for vertical takeoff and landing like a helicopter.
Under development since 1986, the V-22 is scheduled to go into service in 2007. [edited by Moderator]
The Growler is expected to be deployed with the V-22 in 2007, Pease says.
[link inserted by Moderator] http://money.cnn.com/2005/12/29/news/military_jeep/
Posted : 2006-01-02 17:18
The company that produces this "jeep" is headed by Colonel Terry Crews, USMC, Ret. Terry was the AH-1J guy at Pax River in the early '70s and the PMA for H-1s in the late '80s, early '90s.
I'm just shaking my head. I am given to understand that part of the rationale is that finally, here's something that will fit in the V-22.
Posted : 2006-02-16 22:28
New Jeep
I was with Terry as a flight instructor at HT-8 (67-70).
He used to buy old VW's, strip them down, and make dune buggies. Great part-time business and lots of ($$$$).
GREAT TRAINING while in the USMC for the new jeep!!
Congratulations C.T. (Curtis T. Crews)
Tom Knowles
Posted : 2006-02-17 09:31
(Edited by Moderator)
Sounds like the old M151 jeep and trailer loads we put into our old CH-46's...adios and Semper Fi.
Posted : 2006-02-17 15:41
Under development since 1986, the V-22 is scheduled to go into service in 2007.
Incorrect, 03 March 06 VMM-263 Stands up with the MV-22B and is expected to deploy in 07.
I'm just shaking my head. I am given to understand that part of the rationale is that finally, here's something that will fit in the V-22.
I believe it is dual purpose....we needed something to haul the 120mm mortar and why not make it fit inside the V-22.
Posted : 2006-02-18 09:13
Jeep
Any pictures and/or specs on the new jeep? They have to be somewhere!!
Tom Knowles
Posted : 2006-02-18 09:25
Corps pays $100K for retooled jeep
By Steven Komarow, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — The Marine Corps is paying $100,000 apiece for a revamped Vietnam-era jeep as part of its program to outfit the hybrid airplane-helicopter V-22 Osprey, Pentagon records show.
The $100,000 U.S. Marine version of the Growler combat vehicle.
Marine Corps file photo
That's seven times what a deluxe commercial version of the vehicle costs. It's also three times what U.S. Export-Import Bank records show the Dominican Republic paid four years ago for a military version of the vehicle, called the Growler, a recycled version of the M151 jeep.
The Marines and the contractor, General Dynamics, say the vehicle has been thoroughly revised with modern automotive parts and adapted to fit on the V-22.
"Yes, it did start off with jeep technology, and it does look like a jeep in a lot of ways," says John Garner, the Marines project manager. But he says it's now "state of the art."
American Growler
Vehicle that American Growler sold to the Dominican Republic's military for $33,000.
Danielle Brian, executive director of the Project on Government Oversight, a non-profit group that monitors Pentagon contracts, says taxpayers are getting a deal that "stinks" on an unarmored vehicle that makes no sense for today's missions, where troops face ambushes and roadside bombs.
"In a time of war, we should not be wasting money on a junker which will not protect our troops," Brian says. Under current military safety rules, the Growler would be barred from service in Iraq except as a utility vehicle that doesn't leave the security of a base.
The Marines have budgeted to buy more than 400 Growlers, along with a French mortar and ammunition that it would tow, under a contract that could total $296 million.
The Growler beat two other vehicles for the contract, Garner says.
Built by Ocala, Fla.-based American Growler, the original Growler is made partly from salvaged M151 jeep parts and is available in several versions for as little as $7,500 in kit form. At the high end, there's a $14,500 upgraded "tactical dune buggy" with a "bikini top."
American Growler
The UV100DB, which is the same vehicle you can buy from American Growler in a kit and put together yourself for about $7,500.
The Marines' version has considerable upgrades from the commercial and Dominican Republic models, the Corps and contractor say, including a turbo-diesel engine, disc brakes and other systems adapted from modern vehicles.
"It's not your grandfather's jeep," says Kendell Pease, a General Dynamics spokesman.
The Osprey is a twin-engine airplane that turns its rotors up for vertical takeoff and landing like a helicopter.
Under development since 1986, the V-22 is scheduled to go into service in 2007. It has a history of technical problems and several fatal crashes.
Added by Moderator
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-12-28-corps-jeep_x.htm?POE=NEWISVA
Note the date of the article and that there will be an Activated Squdron in 11 days from this post, not 2007.
Image on left $100,000 Growler, Image on right $7500 model.
Posted : 2006-02-20 11:26
